Wyoming on the Brink of Change

04Feb

Wyoming Wildlife Advocates & Jackson Hole Bear Solutions

HB 0275 AND HB 0331 WILL END TORTURE OF WILDLIFE ON PUBLIC LANDS IN WYOMING

We have been involved in the legislative process in Wyoming that began on January 14, 2025. There are two bills we are tracking right now and commenting on as well as spurring grassroots organizing around. These two bills would do big things for wildlife in Wyoming. While not perfect, they are a very big step for Wyoming to take toward predators. We are asking for Wyoming supporters only right now to comment. Wyomingites need to speak up in order affect change in our state. Now is the time for that change.

People outside of Wyoming can help by continuing to share information on social media and commenting to our state tourism board and the Governor’s office. There are some in Wyoming who think this issue isn’t important anymore and that the dust has settled. Let them know you are watching and waiting for Wyoming to outlaw torture. It’s what the people want!

The breakdown:

HB 0275 Treatment of Animals

The language of the bill is here. Sponsored by Rep. Andrew Byron from Teton and Lincoln counties, it is focused on animal cruelty. (It specifically exempts trappers from being held accountable for animal cruelty.) It makes a first offense for cruelty to animals a misdemeanor and a second offense a felony. While imperfect, this bill marks a sea change in Wyoming.

HB 0331 Taking of Predators on Public Lands

The language of the bill is here. Sponsored by Rep. Mike Schmid of Sublette County. Would allow one to shoot or run over an animal with a vehicle on private land. On public land, it would not allow one to run over an animal with a vehicle, but one could shoot from a vehicle. We do not support the running over of any animal with a vehicle. We are asking for this bill to include private lands. But first we need to get it out of committee before Friday, February 7.

WYOMINGITES AGREE: NO ANIMAL SHOULD EVER HAVE TO ENDURE TORTURE

A recent poll of sportspeople in Wyoming by the newly formed group, Wyoming Sportsmanship revealed that overwhelmingly, Wyoming residents don’t support running over an animal with a snowmobile or torturing wildlife.

Further, a poll conducted by the Humane Society of the U.S. found that 73% of residents don’t think it is ok to to use snowmobiles to pursue, strike, injure, and kill predators.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BOTH BILLS

What HB 0275 will do:

Makes the first offense of cruelty to animals a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), or both.

A second or subsequent offense will be a felony.

Adds wildlife to the animal cruelty statutes.

Knowingly, and with intent to cause undue suffering, tortures, torments or mutilates any living wildlife, including predatory animals and predacious birds, after reducing the living wildlife to possession.

What HB 0275 will NOT do:

Outlaw the pursuit and running over or killing of predators by vehicles.
Make wildlife torture a felony on the first offense.

What HB 0331 will do:

Makes it illegal for people to pursue and run over wildlife with vehicles on public lands in Wyoming.

What HB 0331 will NOT do:

Make it illegal to pursue and run over wildlife with vehicles on private land in Wyoming

ADDITIONAL ASKS FOR HB 0331:

Ask the members of the TRW committee to bring forward and provide a hearing on HB 0331.
Thank Representative Mike Schmid for drafting this bill.
Ask members of the TRW committee – both Senate and House members to vote yes on this bill as written.

VISIT THE WYOMING WILDLIFE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE FOR MORE LINKS AND INFORMATION

VISIT WEBSITE HERE

OTTERS COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE LIST OF PROTECTED SPECIES

A bill brought by Rep. Andrew Byron (HB 0045) would remove protections for otters in Wyoming. Currently, otters are a protected species under state law and cannot be purposely trapped or killed. Dr. Ben-David, one of the world’s experts on otters from the University of Wyoming, testified at the committee meeting that otters are still not found in many waterways in Wyoming and their populations have not rebounded since nearly being extirpated from the state years ago. They are an indicator species of water quality and populations are still tenuous.

The reasoning given for this bill is that the Wyoming Game and Fish Department doesn’t currently have the capacity under current law to remove otters that are involved in conflicts of eating fish from privately stocked ponds. However, a lawyer has looked at the law and determined that even as a protected species, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department can live trap and move otters. This bill is unnecessary and will only serve to further reduce our already small otter population.

Wyomingites: Please Ask Your Senator to Vote NO on HB 0045

WYOMING ONCE AGAIN TRYING TO TAKE OVER PUBLIC LANDS

The Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources committee voted 4-1 for a resolution that demands Congress confirm by Oct. 1 its intent to turn over the property. Senate Joint Resolution 2, “Resolution demanding equal footing,” covers some 30 million acres “that derive from former federal territory.”

This would be about 47% of the state’s land area, The property in question includes Grand Teton National Park, Devils Tower National Monument, the Bridger-Teton, Shoshone, Targhee, Black Hills, Bighorn and Medicine Bow-Routt national forests, plus the Thunder Basin National Grassland and Bureau of Land Management acreage.

In addition to seeking property belonging to all Americans, the resolution demands federal mineral rights in Wyoming, which amount to 69% of the rights in the state.

Two other bills, HB 0118 and SF 0105 would prohibit the sale or exchange of private or state land that would result in a net gain of lands to the federal government and would prohibit the sale of land to the federal government unless property owners obtain consent from the Wyoming legislature.

Wyomingites and Americans overwhelmingly support public lands. Studies have shown that the state of Wyoming doesn’t have the infrastructure nor funding to manage these lands. Much of this land would be sold off to the highest bidder. This is not how we steward public lands in Wyoming.

Please call and email your Wyoming Senators and Representatives and tell them to vote NO on these bills.